Legislators shrug at 'dry' social

Lack of alcohol at Capitol event no big deal, visitors say

Published: Wednesday, July 21, 2004 2:56 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
State legislators here for their national convention didn't seem to care that alcohol wasn't on the menu for Tuesday's opening social at the state Capitol.

"A cold beer would have been nice. But it doesn't bother me at all," New Mexico lawmaker Kandy Cordova said as she sipped a soda at the party for delegates to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Cordova and other lawmakers said they respect Utah's prohibition against serving alcoholic beverages on the Capitol grounds, including the newly constructed Capitol Plaza where most of the partygoers gathered. "I'm very proud of the state of Utah for its position," Ohio state representative Tyrone Yates said. "I don't oppose the consumption of alcohol. But I think each state's mores and standards are to be . . . respected and honored. It's not like they said women couldn't come."

Planners for the event fretted for months over whether to welcome the 4,000 people expected for the annual convention to the Capitol with alcohol, especially since the evening also included a performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.

After attempts to change the facility's anti-alcohol rules failed, they settled on a chuckwagon style buffet featuring meatballs, duck and a chicken dish with a "Bear River" raspberry chutney — but no booze.

Story continues below

Servers reported that only a few people asked for a stronger drink than the bottled water and canned soda cooling in ice-filled galvanized cans scattered throughout the plaza and inside the Capitol.

Peter Harkness, the editor and publisher of Governing Magazine, tried to order a glass of white wine. Harkness said he was aware of the controversy but thought it had been resolved in favor of drinkers.

"That's all right," he said as the song, "Margaritaville," blared in the background. "We'll live."

Alaskan lawmaker Con Bunde said he'd had no trouble ordering a glass of wine during dinner in a Salt Lake restaurant the night before. "I'm from Alaska, where we have some of the highest alcohol consumption in the United States. Even we can be dry for one evening."

Some delegates managed to find a drink before the social. Almost all of the 50 or so patrons gathered earlier Tuesday evening at Port O'Call, a downtown private club, were easily identifiable as delegates by their ties and convention badges.

While notable, longtime bar employee Kyle Robbins said the numbers were not unusual for most conventions. What did surprise Robbins was how little they knew about Utah's liquor laws.

"I've been surprised about how unaware of Utah liquor laws they are," he said. "They aren't offended, but about one in three says, 'You've got to be kidding.' "

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image
Michael Brandy, Deseret Morning News

State legislators from around the country look at the 12-foot statue of Brigham Young at the state Capitol Tuesday.

previousnext

Latest comments

Utah Utes football: Utes catch couple of receivers

I hope you realize that implicit in your post is an admission that BYU fans...

So, teams are making moves, and folks want the Jazz to do the same. ...

That is all there is too it but all signs indicate the Jazz are going to pay...

LDS seminary principal arrested in sex abuse of student

You are kidding right? It's not "just churches in Utah" that have wide...

Time for leaders to lead with inspiration and not to be impressed with smooth...

I don't mind giving up Boozer. I mind locking Millsap in at PF for the next...

Utah Utes football: Utes catch couple of receivers

Posted a long time ago...dude, what are you on? It's dated July 10th. That...

I have known people that live a double life doing extreme good in an effort...

To me, Portland has paid too much money for this Paul Millsap. And my fellow...

Folks love their violence. How about a fight to the death? It's coming.

Advertisements